Centrifugal cream-separator.



PATENTED OCT. 11, 1904.

P. E. SHEB. GENTRIFUGAL CREAM SEPARATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28 4 SHBETSSHBBT 1.

NO MODEL PATENTED OCT. 11, 1904.

.No. 772,064. v

4 SHEETS-SHEET Q- P. B. SHEE. GENI'RIF-UGAL CREAM SBPARATOR. APPLICATION FILED KAY 2B, 1904.

N0 MODEL.

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APPLICATION FILED MAY 28' 1904.

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I P. E. SHEE. v GENTRIPUGAL CREAM SEPARATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, 1904. m Honnn.

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gluwzwfox I T5191: $666 w attorney Patented October 11. 1904.

UNIT D STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PARKE E. SHEE, OF LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE INTERNATIONAL CREAM SEPARATOR COMPANY, OF LANCASTER,

PENNSYLVANIA.

CENTRIFUGAL CREAlVl-SEPARATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 77 2,064, dated October 11, 1904.

Application filed May 28, 1904. Serial No. 210,278. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

which resort is had to the use of a rapidly-re;

volving separator-bowl to which the milk is fed, wherein the liquid is separated into milk and cream and the same conducted out of the separator by separate spouts into suitable receptacles placed to receive the same.

One of thechief aims of the present invention is to provide a separator-bowl with different parts, few in number, easy of access,

and adapted to be easily and effectively cleansed, so as to free the parts of the separator from impurities and make the bowl as an entirety hygienic.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel form of frustum and skimming or quieting plates, whereby the separation of the cream from the milk is more effectively obtained and the cream-globules are collected and carried toward the center of the bowl, so that they slide easily along the frustum upward toward the point of discharge. The said frustum and quieting-plates are also arranged with special reference to easy access and cleansing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel arrangement of frustums in connection with the skimming and quieting plates, whereby the capacity of a machine of certain size is increased as compared with the usual arrangement at present in use.

Afurther object is to so arrange all parts of the separator-bowl that the bowl as a whole is perfectly balanced, thus adapting the same to be rotated at a very high rate of speed.

With the above and other objects in view,

the nature of which will more fully appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists 1n the novel construction, combination,

and arrangement of parts, as herein fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a complete creamseparator embodying the present invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the upper portion of the machine, showing the separator-bowl, the curb, the bowl-actuating mechanism, and the cream and milk discharge devices. Fig. 3 is an enlarged diametrical longitudinal section through the bowl and its contained parts. Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5

is also a sectional plan View on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 3. Fig. 'Zis also'a horizontal section on the line 7 7 of Fig. 3. Fig. 8 is a side elevation of one of the frustums with its plates and wings. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the inner cone. Fig. 10 is a fragmentary elevation of the upper portion of the outercone top 11. of the cone-top. Fig. 12 is a fragmentary elevation of the cone-top and center bolthead, showing the cream-discharge orifice or outlet. Fig. 13 is a detail view of the upper portion of the center bolt. Fig. 14 is a diametrical section through a series of frustums nested one within the other and arranged in tiers. Fig. 15 is a horizontal section on the line 15 15 of Fig. 14.

Like reference-numerals designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the draw- Fig. 11 is a reverse plan view 2, which extends downward from the lower end thereof and receives its rotary motion from mechanism hereinafter more particularly referred to. In the center of the bowlbottom is an upstanding eXteriorly-threaded boss 3, which receives the lower internallythreaded extremity 4 ofa tubular center bolt 5, which is provided in its lower portion with lateral milk-discharge openings 6, through which the milk passing downward through the bolt 5 is discharged into the lower portion of the separator-bowl to be acted upon as hereinafter described. The threads which connect the center bolt with the bowl are left-hand ones, thus avoiding any tendency of the center bolt to work loose underthe rapid rotation of the bowl. The upper portion of the bowl is exteriorly rabbeted, as shown at 7, to receive the flange or rim 8 of an outercone top 9, a gasket 10 being fitted in a recess in the cone-top 9, so as to lie between the cone-top and the bowl and form a liquid-tight joint when the cone-top is applied to the bowl, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The cone-top is provided with an upstanding neck 11,the diameter of which is considerably larger than the center bolt 5, and said cone-top is provided at its upper end with an internal cone-seat 12, which acts as and forms a bearing for the head 13 of the tubular center bolt 5, the head 13 being correspondingly beveled or coneshaped, so that when the center bolt is screwed down tightly the cone surfaces of the neck 11 and the head 13 act to accurately center the bolt 5, and thus perfectly. balance said parts. At one side the head 13 of the center bolt is beveled or chamfered, as shown at 14, for the purpose of leavingaslit 15, which constitutes the cream outlet or discharge orifice.

Within the separator-bowl 1 are arranged upper and lower frustums 16 and 17, respectively, each consisting of a frusto conical shell 18, from which quieting and skimming plates 19 extend outwardly to within a short distance of the inner surface or periphery of the separator-bowl, as shown in Fig. 3. In order to prevent relative rotative movement between the frustums and the bowl, the bowl is provided at the bottom and near the periphery with a key 20, while the lower frustum is provided with a notch 21, into which the key 20 fits. Likewise the upper plate 19 of the lower frustum is provided with a key 22, which is received in anotch 23 in the upper frustum. Thus both frustums are held against rotative movement within the separator-bowl.

The quieting and skimming plates 19 are circular in plan and only a small annular space is left between the edges of said plates and the inner surface of the bowl to effect the skimming of the milk. It will also be noted that the quieting and skimming plates slope downward toward their outer edges, thus giving a somewhat concavo-convex shape to said plates, which causes the thicker portion of the liquid, including the globules of cream, to move inward along the lower surfaces of the plates. These plates are provided adjacent to the shells 18 with ports 24:, through which the globules of cream escape in an upward direction and find their way toward the center bolt 5, passing upward along said bolt toward the point of discharge. The shells 18 may be provided with perforations 25 or left imperforate,as desired, as the ports 24 will permit the globules of the cream to pass upward and at the same time move inward toward the center of the bowl.

Within the outer-cone top 9 is arranged the inner cone 26, which is provided upon its outer surface with spacing and quieting ribs 27. These ribs serve to space the outer and inner cones at a suitable distance apart and also to form brakes or stops for the liquid and prevent the same from circling around the space between the cones. The inner cone 26 is provided with an upstanding neck 28, which fits closely within the neck 11 of the outercone top 9. At diametrically opposite points vertical grooves 29 and 30 are provided, the groove 29 constituting a milk-passage, while the groove 30 is formed merely for the purpose of equalizing the weight at opposite sides of the center of rotation of the bowl. In order to prevent relative rotation between the two cones 9 and 26, one of said cones is provided with a pin or key 31, while the other cone is provided with a notch 32 to receive said pin or key. The skimmed milk passes upward between the skimming-plates 19 and the inner surface of the separator-bowl, past the outer edge of the inner cone, and thence between the cones and upward along the passage 29.

The outer cone is provided with a notch 33, which receives a pin or key 34:, projecting outward from the upper edge portion of the separator-bowl 1, and in this way both the outer-cone top and the inner cone are prevented from rotating relatively to the separator-bowl.

The neck 11 is provided with a lateral opening which is internally threaded to receive a plug or nipple 35, which is adapted to be turned by reason of said threaded connection and adjusted inward or outward for the purpose of regulating the density or thickness of the cream, which is discharged through an opening 36, extending centrally through the nipple 35. By screwing the nipple outward a lighter or thinner cream is obtained, while by screwing the nipple inward heavier cream is obtained, the space left and the ease of egress serving to regulate the density or thickness of the cream.

By reference to Figs. 7 and 8 it will be seen that each of the frustums is provided upon its outer surface with outwardly-projecting wings or brakes 37, while upon the inner side of the frustum are arranged other wings or brakes, 38. These wings extend radially outward and inward and serve to prevent the liquid from circling around the frustum, the liquid being forced ahead with the frustum and separator-bowl, and thus maintained in a comparatively quiescent state.

Instead of two single frustums arranged one above the other, as shown in Fig. 3, two or more nested frustums may be arranged in two M V i f or more tiers, as illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15, in which, in addition to the outer frustum 16, the inner frustum 39 is employed. In such case the wings 37 will be replaced by shorter wings 40, which lie between the shells of the frustums, while inner wings 41 will project from the inner shell inward toward the center bolt. The operation will be the same as that effected by the arrangement shown in Fig. 3; but the capacity of the separator will be increased without increasing the size of the separator-bowl. Instead of providing the quieting and skimming plates with curved cream-ports 2 1 said cream-ports may consist of simple perforations, as shown at 42.

The operating mechanism embodies a worm 13, fast on the spindle 2, which meshes with and is driven by a worm-wheel 14, connected by suitable speed-gearing with the shaft 15 of an operating. hand-crank &6, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the said gearing being mounted in a suitable gear-case 47.

Supported above the gear-case is a tank 48, provided with a faucet 19 for conducting the milk into a suitable casing or hopper 50, in which is arranged an automatic float-valve 51, which opens and closes the entrance to the center bolt 5, as shown in Fig. 2, the valve 51 operating to admit the milk to the separator-bowl in the proper quantity.

52 designates a supporting-shelf upon which suitable receptacles may be placed to receive the cream from the discharge-spout 53 and the milk from a discharge-spout 54:. A milkreceptacle embodying an inclined or sloping bottom 55 extends around the neck of the separator-bowl to receive the skimmed milk and conduct the same to the spout 5 1, while a similar cream-receptacle 56 extends around the neck 11 above the receptacle55 for receiving the cream and conducting the same to the cream-spout 53. At or near its upper end the center bolt is provided with an internal flange 57, which forms a dam or check to prevent the backward or upward movementof the milk within the center bolt.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that all parts of the bowl and separating devices are symmetricallyarranged and the center bolt 5 accurately centered, so that the weight of the apparatus as a whole is equally distributed around the axis of rotation, thereby admitting of a very rapid rotation of the separator-bowl without injury or strain to the bearings. Access is readily had to all interior parts of the bowl, and the frustums, the center bolt, and the outer and inner cones may be easily removed, thoroughly cleansed, and as readily replaced, the several keys and notches insuring the return of the several parts to their proper positions, and therefore maintaining the bowl as a whole in proper equilibrium. The particular construction of the several parts of the separator-bowl also greatly facilitates the cleansing of the same ing therethrough and opening into the bowl,

and a frustum arranged within the bowl and provided with substantially concavo-convex quieting-plates which slope downward toward their outer edges.

2. A cream-separator comprising a cylindrical bowl having separate outlets for the milk and cream, a tubular center bolt, outer and inner cone tops held in place by said center bolt, and one or more frustums arranged within the bowl, and keyed together, one of the frustums being keyed to the bowl.

3. A cream-separator comprising a bowl, a tubular center bolt having a threaded and detachable connection with the bottom portion of the bowl, outer and inner cone tops held in place by the bolt, means for preventing relative rotation between the bowl, center bolt and outer and inner cone tops, and one or more frustums' extending around the center bolt and provided with one or more quiet-- ing-plates.

4:- A cream-separator comprising a bowl, a

tubular center bolt having a threaded and detachable connection therewith, outer and inner cone tops held in place by the center bolt, frustums extending around the center bolt and keyed together in tiers, and means for preventing relative rotation between the bowl, center bolt, cone-tops and frustums.

5. A cream-separator comprising a bowl, a center bolt having a threaded and detachable connection therewith, and provided with a -bowl, and spacing and quieting ribs connected with one of the cones and bearing against the other cone, substantially as described.

7. A cream-separator comprising a bowl, a tubular center bolt having a threaded and detachable connection therewith, an outer-cone top having a keyed connection with the bowl,

an inner cone having a keyed connection with the outer-cone top, and spacing and quieting ribs interposed between the cones.

8. A cream-separator comprising a bowl, a tubular center bolt having a detachable connection therewith, outer and inner cone tops having a keyed connection with each other and one of said cone-tops having a keyed connection with the bowl, one of the cones being provided with an upstanding neck having diametrically opposite grooves, one of which forms a milk-passage, and a cream-regulator communicating with said passage.

9. A cream-separator comprising a bowl, a tubular center bolt having a detachable eonneetion therewith, an outer-cone top having a keyed connection with the bowl, an innercone top having a keyed connection with the outer-cone top, the outer-cone top being provided with diametrically opposite grooves, one of which forms a milk-passage, and a cream-regulator consisting of a hollow nipple having an adjustable connection with the outer-cone top and communicating with said groove or milk-passage, substantially as de scribed.

. 10. A cream-separator comprising a bowl, a tubular center bolt having a detachable connection therewith and provided with a head having a beveled or conical portion, and a cone-top connected with the bolt and provided with a tapered or conical seat for the bolthead, the head of the center bolt being undercut to form a cream-outlet between the head and the cone-top, substantially as described.

11. A cream-separator comprising a bowl, a tubular center bolt having a detachable connection therewith, a cone-top having a keyed connection with the bowl, and one or more frustums encircling the center bolt within the bowl and provided with quieting-plates and outwardly and inwardly extending wings, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

12. A cream-separator comprising a bowl, a tubular center bolt having a detachable connection therewith, a cone-top having a keyed connection with the bowl,and one or more frustums encircling the center bolt and nesting one within the other, the said frustums being provided with outwardly-extending quieting and skimming plates and outwardly and inwardly projecting wings, substantially as and for the purpose described.

13. A cream-separator comprising a bowl, a tubular center bolt having a detachable connection therewith, an outer-cone top having a keyed connection with the bowl, an innercone top having a keyed connection with the outer-cone top, and a head on the center bolt arranged to leave an annular cream-chamber, the bolt-head being cut away to form a creamoutlet which communicates with the said cream-chamber, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

PARKE E. SH EE. 

